章節 27: 6
December 31, 1995
London, England
Daphne's head was on his chest, with one of her arms over his midsection and his arm wrapped around her shoulders. She was wearing his Quidditch shirt and he was sleeping without one, at Daphne's insistence. The room felt chilled, but he was warm to have her curled up with him.
He was wondering what woke him, still trying to blink the sleep out of his eyes when a soft knock came again. Harry groaned, not wanting to be up. By the light filtering around the curtains, he could tell it was full daylight out.
All the gas lamps were off except the one by the sitting area that was just low enough to cast enough light at night so they didn't trip over anything.
The soft knock came again.
Harry shifted and Daphne didn't stir. Gently he pulled her arm off him and lay her head on the bed before getting up as the knock came again. A night coat had been left on a chair next to the bed and he wrapped it around himself before grabbing his glasses. No one else besides Daphne needed to see him in nothing but his shorts.
Opening the door, he found Ginny outside.
"Morning, Harry," Ginny said in a low voice. It didn't have the same life it usually had. "Mum wanted me to make sure you and Daphne were up. Some people are coming by in an hour or so. Mum wants you down soon to have breakfast first."
Harry couldn't stifle his yawn. "Who?"
"Snape and McGonagall," she told him.
Harry nodded, not sure why they would need to know this. "We'll be down in a bit."
She nodded. "I need to talk to Daphne later."
Probably meant Ginny made up her mind. "Ginny, I never wanted to put you and Hermione in this position."
Ginny gave a sad smile. "It isn't your fault, Harry. Dad always says never trust something that you can't see where it thinks. I'll see you downstairs."
He shut the door and went back to Daphne. A groggy voice asked, "Can't we just sleep in one day?"
Harry smiled at her. "It's almost ten," he said, looking at the mechanical clock near the gas lamp.
She shifted and groaned as she got up.
"You alright?" he asked.
"Just a little soar," she admitted, rubbing her hip.
"I didn't mean to hurt you," he apologized.
She looked at him and smiled. "It's to be expected after laying with my husband for the first time," she assured him before moving onto her hands and knees so she could kiss him. Of course, it had been twice...
Harry liked the kiss. He liked their tongues playing with each other. It was too short though. "I love you," he told her tenderly.
She gave a shy smile. "You don't have to say that now I'm not trying to seduce you," she told him.
Harry smirked. "Seduce me?" he asked.
Her cheeks colored a little. "I did ask you to sleep with me."
Harry chuckled. "I love you," he repeated.
She looked more certain now. "I love you too," she said before giving him another kiss. A moment later she moved past him and to the clothes lain out on a chest. Kreacher had found it and put at the end of the bed.
They got dressed in the same place this time, Harry unsure if it was alright to sneak peeks at her. In bed, he wouldn't feel abashed, but this felt different to watch her get dressed. She gave him a shy smile when she caught him watching her put on her bra. "It's alright to look," she assured him when he looked away. He was pretty sure she was doing the same to him.
They shared a rather passionate kiss before heading out the door. She held his hand until they made it to the kitchen. When she let it go, he grabbed it, not letting her get away with acting the proper Pureblood in a place that was now their home and before people he considered friends and family. She didn't fight him, but she still looked prim and proper.
Walking over towards the head of the table, Ron, Ginny and Hermione were there with their schoolbooks open. He was positive Hermione had forced Ron into doing his homework. Harry and Daphne would need to finish theirs later.
"About time you were up," Ron told him.
"Why are you up so early and doing work?" Harry asked.
"Ask that one," he responded, pointing his quill at Hermione. "She wouldn't let me wake you two."
"We go back day after tomorrow and you haven't done any of the work," Hermione answered.
"Neither has Harry," Ron whinged.
"Actually, Harry has completed everything except the potions essay," Daphne spoke up.
Ron looked at him. "When?"
"The other day," Harry shrugged his shoulders. On Boxing Day and the day after he had been busy with work.
"They get a sleep in because they have done most of their work," Hermione concluded.
After yesterday and last night, Harry was glad to have the sleep in.
"Anything good in the Daily Prophet?" Daphne asked as they sat.
"Fudge is trying to blame the breakout at Azkaban on Dumbledore not allotting enough funds when he was Chief Warlock," Hermione told her.
Daphne shook her head. "Idiots," he heard her mutter.
"Nothing about what happened to me?" Harry asked.
"Hardly. Dad thinks they are trying to cover it up because something went wrong," Ron replied.
"He also said he hasn't seen Umbridge at the Ministry all week," Ginny added.
"Dumbledore said Umbridge hadn't been at Hogwarts either," Daphne said pensively.
"You think she choked on all that money she took from me?" Harry asked darkly.
"One can hope," Daphne replied.
Hermione looked up at them, her face a little alarmed.
Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen this morning and a plate of sausages, eggs, toast and beans were put before them before Hermione could respond. There was also a small vial of red potion discretely put before Daphne. Daphne looked at it. "Thank you," she said softly to Mrs. Weasley before taking it.
"Any time, dear," Mrs. Weasley whispered back. Since the night that thing came out of his head and the way Daphne refused to treat anyone poorly, Mrs. Weasley had been much kinder and accepting of Daphne. It seemed to help she was with Harry. Harry was wondering what Ginny had decided.
Harry thought he recognized it as a pain relief potion.
Ginny watched Daphne down it before they started to eat.
"Where is Sirius?" he asked Mrs. Weasley.
"He should be back soon. He was called out by the Order early this morning," she told them. "I hope he is back by the time Minerva and Severus get here. Then we should sit to talk about Ginny."
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley," Daphne responded.
"Why are Professor McGonagall and Snape coming to see us?" Harry inquired.
Daphne took his hand. "Probably to determine accommodations. Being my consort, you are not to be kept from me."
"Oh," was all he said. He hadn't thought about it. He hadn't thought about a lot of things lately. As the Holiday went on, he felt more like he was waking and actually living again.
Mrs. Weasley pursed her lips. He didn't have the feeling it was towards Daphne. He thought he heard her mutter, "They wouldn't let Arthur and I."
Hermione looked up, her eyebrow raised as though she heard it to. Ron and Ginny kept their heads down. Harry wasn't sure when Mr. and Mrs. Weasley got married. After a quick glance at them, Hermione went back to her work.
Daphne and Harry were able to eat and get their potions books and supplies before their Professors showed. Harry had that instant loathing he always felt for Snape upon seeing the man. Today there wasn't as much hatred in the man's eyes.
Professor McGonagall greeted them and looked around. "Where is Sirius? He should be part of this conversation."
"He hasn't returned yet from the task Albus asked him to do," Mrs. Weasley stated.
"Ah, I understand. We must be back to Hogwarts as soon as possible. Mrs. Black, you do have the authority to talk for your husband," McGonagall stated with a hint of sadness.
Daphne was sitting tall. "Yes, ma'am."
"Would you like to go somewhere else for this discussion?"
"Please," Daphne requested.
McGonagall nodded and they went to the first floor sitting room. They took the sofa while Snape and McGonagall took sitting chairs facing them. Snape regarded them as McGonagall took the lead.
"I am not sure if you know the rules for bonded or married couples at Hogwarts?"
Harry shook his head while Daphne stated, "I have not looked up the rules, Professor."
In her austere voice, McGonagall went on. "For a normally married couple, quarters would not be offered until you are both seventeen. We have not had to offer quarters in a few years."
"Harry is my husband," Daphne asserted.
McGonagall gave a sad smile. "I am aware of that, Mrs. Black. That leaves two options. Either Harry becomes a Slytherin, or you become a Gryffindor. There are Head Boy or Girl rooms that are available in each House. We cannot offer you a married suite until you are both seventeen."
"Daphne can not go back to Slytherin," he stated at the same time she said, "I will become a Gryffindor."
Snape, still as impassive as ever, seemed to relax some. "Mrs. Black, I am disappointed, but I trust you will keep the same standards I have come to expect. I would hate to have to deduct points from you otherwise."
Daphne nodded her head. "I will not disappoint you, Professor."
"I will talk to the House after the Welcome Back feast. I am going to put my faith in my Gryffindors that they will accept you, Mrs. Black," McGonagall said more warmly than usual.
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall."
The austere woman smiled. "Now, there is one other topic. Should you come down with child, Hogwarts usually lets the witch take special tutorial sessions, but you will be asked to do so outside of Hogwarts."
"You can't do that," Harry said angrily.
Daphne put a hand on his arm. When he looked at her, she shook her head at him. "I understand, Professor."
"But, how are you going to take your OWLs or NEWTs? You have to go to Hogwarts," Harry protested. Internally he made a promise to not get her pregnant until after their NEWTs. Probably long after.
"Mr. Black," McGonagall said as though it was hard to say. Harry looked at McGonagall. "Mrs. Black will be able to attend any OWL or NEWT testing either at Hogwarts or the Ministry. If your wife becomes pregnant, there are many dangers at Hogwarts that cannot be totally mitigated. Especially since some of them may come from Mrs. Black herself."
Daphne spoke to Harry. "Witch's magic can be unstable when carrying a child. It can react to protect myself and our child without me realizing or willing it to do so."
"Like accidental magic?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Daphne responded. "It will find a way to get the threat away from me."
"There are also certain potion ingredients that could be harmful, as well as the stray magic that is inherent in a magical school as so many are learning to control themselves or their limits," McGonagall said softly.
"Does that mean Daphne would have to leave without me?" Harry questioned.
"Sometimes, yes. In this case, you would be extended the same courtesy. A consort is not to be separated unless given permission."
"Harry is not leaving my side," Daphne stated.
McGonagall nodded in acceptance. "Understood, Mrs. Black."
"Is there anything else?" Daphne asked.
"We will require you and Sirius to sign the documentation for attending Hogwarts, including your permission slips to go into Hogsmeade. I have a copy of all forms for you, Mrs. Black and Mr. Black." McGonagall took out an envelope from inside her robes and put it on the table.
"If there is nothing else, Mr. Black and I would like to complete our homework," Daphne stated.
"No, this is all for Hogwarts business. Mrs. Black and Mr. Black," McGonagall said before they all stood. Daphne nodded. "I would like to say I am sorry what has happened. My door will be open if you need. I also would hope you might convince Mr. Black to put a little more time into his studies."
"I will see to it, Professor. May I ask something?" Daphne put to them.
"Of course," McGonagall replied.
"I would like to put in a formal complaint for use of illegal instruments in punishment," Daphne told her.
McGonagall pursed her lips. Snape gave a discerning look to Daphne. "Is this against yourself, Mrs. Black?"
"It is against my consort. He has been forced to use a blood quill this past semester. As my consort, if that happens again I will insist on calling the Aurors," Daphne said rather imperiously.
McGonagall blanched. "Who made him use a blood quill?"
Harry clenched his hands. "The same hag that stole my House?" His voice was hard. The white lines 'I will not tell Lies' stood out against the back of his right hand as he tightened his fist. "Umbridge is the one that stole my House!"
McGonagall's eyes went wide and even Snape, usually sneering at him looked surprised. "What? Dumbledore hasn't said anything."
Daphne put a hand over his fist. "Harry, she won't do that to you again."
"Are you telling us Professor Umbridge did this to you, Mr. Black?" McGonagall seethed. "Why didn't you tell me before."
"That is a House matter for now, I just want my complaint registered," Daphne replied first, giving him a look.
"Dumbledore didn't want me to talk to anyone. Umbridge made me use blood quills as part of my detentions this year. I didn't know what she could do with it. I also didn't know what it meant to be scion of my House." He took his hand out of Daphne's and moved his ring to show the blackened skin. He wasn't sure it would ever fade.
"You were named Scion and never informed what that meant?" Snape asked, sounding incredulous.
"My consort has been kept in the dark of a great many things. That is being rectified," Daphne said imperiously. "It is a House and family matter. I would ask you to keep it as such."
Harry got the rebuke that time. He felt it in the bond that he had disappointed her. Harry clamped his mouth shut, wanting to rage on. Daphne realized what she did and her eyes widened a little bit. It was done for the moment though.
McGonagall regarded them, a crease forming at the sides of her mouth. "Even with the Ministry backing torture and line theft like this will not be tolerated at Hogwarts."
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall." He heard how Daphne was upset with herself. He was just as upset at the moment. "Would you please excuse us now."
"You will have my backing to reverse this," McGonagall told them.
Harry was finding it hard to keep his anger in as Daphne gave a forlorn smile. "There is nothing you can do. Just make sure no other student suffers this fate. Thank you for your time."
McGonagall looked less than happy but nodded after a moment. "Professor Snape and I should be leaving. Severus, I am going to stop by the DMLE and have a chat with one of my old students," McGonagall stated. The Professors stood up. "Mrs. and Mr. Black, congratulations."
Snape stood there for a moment. "Mrs. Black, I would not recommend you going near Slytherin House."
Daphne nodded and Snape left the room.
Harry just glared at Daphne for a moment. His bond let her feel his anger. She looked at him, scared. "If you don't want me talking then don't take me along for now on," Harry snipped angrily.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that."
"Why?" He demanded.
She took in a deep breath before letting it out. "Think, Harry. Why didn't they know? Why didn't Dumbledore or even Sirius tell them?"
"Dumbledore is just an arse," Harry snarked. He felt so much more alive this morning. The emptiness in him just wasn't there today. Until a few minutes ago, he felt full of Daphne. Now, the anger at Dumbledore and others was just as furious as it was since the summer.
"I am not arguing that, but Sirius didn't say anything, and there have been Order meetings. Why haven't they said anything yet?" Daphne kept her voice calm. Harry went to open his mouth. "Think, Harry. Don't fall into the trap of just reacting."
It wasn't a command. She was honestly trying to get him to reason something out. He closed his mouth, their conversation from last night coming back to him.
After a few, she asked, "The Daily Prophet hasn't reported anything about this? Only Sirius and the Weasley's really know most of the details. I would think Fudge would love to scream this to discredit you even more. 'The Boy-Who-Lived an imposter.' Can you see anyone believing you again?"
His lips pursed.
"Just think for a moment before you say anything?" Daphne asked him.
"This would destroy any credibility I had left."
"Exactly. I think Mr. Weasley was right. Something went wrong."
Harry ran his hand through his hair. "You think the Wizengamot is trying to cover their tracks?"
There was a pride in her eyes. "I'll make a Slytherin of you yet," she cheekily responded. "We should talk with Sirius later."
Some of his anger subsided. "The sorting hat wanted to put me in Slytherin," Harry blurted.
She looked surprised. "The hat did what? You are no Slytherin."
"You just said I could be. Not that it matters now you are a Gryffindor."
"I am still a Slytherin at heart and I think you need to become one too. Why weren't you sorted into Slytherin?"
"I didn't want to be," he told her.
"Why?"
"That first time on the Express, my new friend had told me that all the bad witches and wizards came from Slytherin and I couldn't stand Malfoy already," he told her.
"Not all of us are bad," she refuted.
"I understand that now, and there were witches and wizards from all houses that have gone bad," Harry told her.
"Slytherin has just had the most," Daphne agreed to his silent implication. "Harry, I really think we should keep this in the family, or very close friends."
Harry sighed. "Why?"
"For one, the goblins. If it is found out what truly happened, do you see many wizards just accepting this as an accident? It could lead to a new goblin war."
"So what? I have heard what you said, but does it matter?" Harry asked. "The Ministry was is the one that dissolved my House after the transfer. A goblin war would see all those corrupt bastards die."
"Who do you think might step into take control of the Ministry if it was in disarray in the middle of a goblin war? As I said yesterday, I think the goblins were tricked or coerced. For them not to kill the entire clan for something that egregious is unheard of. My guess is that the offering of gold was made by the clan, not forced. No clan would ever allow their wealth to be taken like that if even one member was still alive. Battle prowess and honor among the goblins is their highest currency," she instructed him.
"Why don't they teach us this in History of Magic or other classes?" Harry asked her. "I've never heard that."
"That is because goblins trust wizards as much as we do goblins."
"Alright, so no goblin war. Why else?"
Daphne frowned. "It would cause a panic. It will get out that you were stripped of your House. There will probably be many theories how, but if the true how was found out, then the Ministry will fall or just move to take over all those that oppose it. I am sure Fudge is controlled by Malfoy right now by what Lord Greengrass told his family. It is a good way to sow doubt: Fudge denies You-Know-Who and discredits you, then it will leave a power bubble for You-Know-Who to walk into when Fudge and everyone around him falls?"
"So, we just go back to Hogwarts Tuesday, pretend nothing happened and wait for either Umbridge or Voldemort to finish me? Or you? I won't let you get hurt if I can help it," he vowed. "To many already have gotten hurt or died for me."
"I didn't say that. We need to think about this. You told me Hermione tries to get you to think and plan before you act. I don't think you a dumb person, Harry, and the hat must have seen something in you to want to place you into Slytherin," Daphne stated.
"Can you not silence me again then? How am I supposed to reason anything out if I can't talk?"
She flushed and looked guilty. "I really didn't mean too. Can you forgive me? This is still as new to me as it is you."
There was that very abashed girl Harry was really falling for. "Daphne, I meant it. I love you. I just don't like that feeling. You said it is what you were running from."
"It is. I promised not to control you, and I don't want to." She dipped her head. He seemed to be the only one she would do that too.
Harry sighed. "Look at me," he said gently, putting a hand on her chin and pulling her face up. She looked so unsure of herself. "Daphne, it is me and you. We are family now." He leaned into kiss her and she responded. "I promise to try and think before I act."
She gave a shy smile. "I promise not to control you."
Her lips sought his this time. They kissed for a few minutes and she stopped when his hand drifted towards her chest. She put a hand on his, not moving it at first. "I like your touch, but can we keep it to our bedroom?"
He went to pull his hand back and she kept it there, cupping her breast, for a few seconds before releasing his hand.
"I won't ever do anything to push you," he promised.
She smiled and kissed him again. This time her tongue found his for a moment before she pulled back and put her forehead against his. They looked at each other over the rim of their glasses. "I am your wife. We should not be afraid to be with each other. I just prefer it to be private."
Harry was starting to suspect there was something else going on. "If it makes you happy, I will be discrete."
"I love you," she told him, giving him a short kiss. "You should go finish that potion essay."
He smiled. "I think you and Hermione are going to be good friends."
Daphne laughed. "I think I would like that." She sobered. "Harry, I am sorry."
"I know, Daph. You are right though. I should try to think about it." He sighed. "Sometimes there just isn't time to think."
"Those are times you be you. Between now and then, I will work on you to think more. If you were to be a Snake, it is one of our best qualities," she told him.
Feeling like he needed something good the think about he gave a wry grin, again channeling his father. "I liked some of those qualities last night."
She blushed profusely. "Harry James Black!" she hissed in a low voice, looking at the door to make sure they were alone still.
"I do talk with snakes you know."
Harry wasn't sure he was in trouble or not. "You will have to show me some time," Daphne said in a whisper. He was surprised when she leaned in and wrapped her arms around his neck. Apparently, she needed something better to think about as well.
-oOo-
Later New Year's Eve...
That evening, the four Black children, Ron and the twins were in the sitting room listening to a wizarding wireless radio. He was sitting on the edge of his seat, and all the Weasley's were leaning into the radio, as the announcer called out plays between the Chudley Cannons and the Whimborne Wasps.
Harry wasn't a huge fan of the Cannons, but all the redheads in the room were. On the far side of the room, Daphne and Hermione were talking over books in their laps.
"... Caradon passes to Trace. Trace flies up the middle and takes a good bludger to her side. She still has the quaffle..."
"Just get it in," Ron yelled at the radio.
"I wish I could see the Seekers," Harry piped up.
"Trace and Caradon are good. If they had a third good Chaser the Cannon's could place," Ginny spoke up.
"Finnigan and Welch have seen the snitch! I thought we might be here until the morning. The Cannons race down the pitch. Trace scores her eleventh goal today. Finnigan pulls ahead. MERLIN! Finnigan just flipped and took off towards the ground! Welch is far behind now. The Wasps beaters try to send both bludgers at Finnigan. The Cannon's seeker dodges and... HE CAUGHT THE SNITCH! Cannons win three hundred forty to two hundred ten. This is the first time in almost a hundred years the Cannons will be ranked in the top six..."
Harry couldn't hear anything else as the Weasleys were all cheering and hopping around. George grabbed him and pulled him up. To Harry's chagrin George hugged him, then Fred and then a bounding Ginny was hugging him.
Hermione was laughing as Fred and George started to do some weird dance. Harry patted Ginny's back, and she held on for a few more seconds than he was comfortable with before letting go and joining her brothers. After that thought, he drifted over towards the girls in the corner.
"Excitable," Daphne commented dryly.
"You get used to it," Hermione replied, watching the red heads with a smile.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "Looking forward to it. Would you get some tea with me?" Daphne requested.
"Mind if I join you? I don't want to be dragged into that," Hermione commented.
The announcer was still talking about the match and the celebration going on at the Cannon's stadium.
"Not at all," Daphne told her.
Harry extended his hand and Daphne took it, allowing him to pull her up.
"The twins were going to have some stuff for New Years in a little while," Harry informed them.
"Do we get to sleep in tomorrow?" Daphne questioned.
"No plans I know of. I do want to get up early though and go over more of those books Sirius is letting us use," Hermione said, still looking excited to have been shown the family library she now had access too.
They walked out to find Kreacher in the hall. The house was already starting to look better. The ratty carpet was gone and the elf was polishing the dark wood floor. Daphne stopped. "Really good job, Kreacher. Are you taking off the time I asked you to?"
Kreacher bowed his head. "Yes, Mrs. Daphne. Would the Misses and her wards like some tea or hot cocoa."
"Thank you, but we can get it ourselves. Thank you for doing such fine work," Daphne told the elf, who actually looked pleased.
Hermione still frowned some. "How do you do that?" she asked.
"Do what," Daphne replied.
"Kreacher looks at you like you are his new master. He hasn't called me a mudblood in days and actually smiled. I still wish they could be free," Hermione bossily stated.
"As I said, they are family. I will treat them as such. It is also their nature to serve," she said, a certain sadness to her voice. He was wondering how much of that was for Kreacher or the fact Ginny chose to be a Handmaiden for the next year or so.
As they made their way down the stairs to the kitchen, there was shouting coming from it. "I am telling you they should know! Why tell them about the Horcruxes and not this!"
It sounded like Sirius.
Whatever was said, they couldn't hear.
"Unacceptable. You are asking me to keep a secret from my godson and his wife that directly affect them. I won't do it Dumbledore. Your secrets and advice almost got Harry killed and your damned lack of bollocks has let the Ministry run ramshod all over him!"
They all stiffened.
"The boy and his friends have proven themselves," a gruff voice added. Professor Moody?
They snuck down to the bottom step. "Harry, where is your cloak," Hermione whispered.
"In our room," he told her.
"Shhh," Daphne put a finger to her mouth.
"... thought it best to distance myself. I was afraid Voldemort would use him with the link in his head." It was Dumbledore and Harry felt his blood pulse and his muscles tighten.
"I am done following your order and advice. You have cost Harry everything that his parents left him. The only good thing to happen to him in the last few years are his friends and Daphne," Sirius yelled some more.
"Yes, that is rather unfortunate," Dumbledore stated. Daphne stiffened and Harry took her hand.
"Why is it unfortunate? If she wasn't there Harry would be dead!"
"Albus, I don't think Daphne is a bad thing," Mr. Weasley's voice. "I have never seen Harry so calm or happy before."
"Unfortunate because of his destiny," Dumbledore stated.
Harry tightened his grip. Daphne dug her nails into his palm. Hermione made a small squeak.
"We know we are protecting a prophesy. Are you saying whatever it is will be Harry's fate? What is in that prophesy?" Sirius was very upset.
"I think it best that remains hidden for now," Dumbledore said in a serene voice.
"I think it barmy to protect something we don't know what it is," Moody gruffed. "I don't mind doing as you ask, but we are going too soft. You can bet the Death Eaters will be throwing killing curses, not kisses, when they finally come for what is in the Hall of Prophesies."
"Alastor, it is better they are captured and stand trial than be killed in cold blood," Dumbledore stated.
"It is not cold blood if they are slinging magic at you too," Moody spoke up.
"You aren't concerned with the fact ten Death Eaters were broken out of Azkaban last week?" Mr. Weasley put forward. "I may agree with Moody on this, Albus. You know none of them will hold their punches and I have five children still in Hogwarts with a sadistic woman that is trying to take your job. That doesn't even include what she has done to Harry, and you know Daphne will now be in her sights."
There was a silence. Harry had never heard Mr. Weasley talk like that.
"Arthur, you can't mean you endorse lethal force," Dumbledore sounded surprised.
"I say we kill them all if we see them," Sirius growled. "Half the people that escaped are responsible for many in the Order's death last time. Do you want a repeat, Albus? How many of us fell for each Death Eater caught because we were unwilling to go after them?"
"Who is to say they are not redeemed," Dumbledore put forward.
Moody chuffed in his hoarse voice. "For each one of those Death Eaters, I can count ten or more good wizard, witches or whole families gone. I am not going to hold back if the situation arises. I killed a few last time and put eight of the bastards that escape in there myself and have the scars to prove it. I don't want to let anyone else collect scars like these."
"Kingsley, you have been quiet. You can't agree with this?" Dumbledore sounded like he needed an ally.
A deep voice spoke up. "I was not in Britain during the last war, but I have friends who lost loved ones. I have sworn my oaths to protect the laws and the people under them. If I can take them in, I will, but if they do not come willingly, Bones has authorized deadly force. What has happened with Potter has riled some that backed Fudge and there are whispers in the last few days he has to go."
There seemed to be a stunned silence. The three of them looked at each other and then started at a creak in the stairs behind them. They spun to see Mrs. Weasley coming into the stairwell from the hallway.
She stopped, looked at them and then said rather loudly, "What are you doing just skulking there?"
Hermione and him couldn't hide their guilt at being caught. Daphne just stood up tall. "We were coming down for some tea."
"There is an order meeting. I have warned you about sneaking about," Mrs. Weasley scolded them.
"Mrs. Weasley, you have not warned Harry or I of any such thing," Daphne responded.
"She did warn me and Ron," Hermione confessed. "We weren't trying to sneak around, Mrs. Weasley. We did want some tea."
The door fully opened behind them. It was Dumbledore looking down at them. "This is not a meeting for those so young," Dumbledore told them.
"They are my wards, Albus. Daphne is my heir and this is their house," Sirius stated.
Harry was looking up at the man. The anger in him boiled up to see the Headmaster looking down at them. "What prophesy? What fate? Unfortunate! How does this endanger Daphne?" Harry asked in a voice that sounded dangerous and not like him. He was used to being angry, but this was different.
Albus met his eyes and Harry didn't waiver against them. Where he usually felt like he was being x-rayed, this time Harry turned everything on the Headmaster. After a moment, the man's placid face grew long for a moment. "It is something that the Dark Lord thinks pertains to you and him. That is all you need to know."
"You know what it says and will not tell my consort? I demand you tell us. If this is a danger to him, it is my right to know," Daphne said besides him.
"This is what I have been saying," Sirius backed them up.
"It is too dangerous to have too many who know," Dumbledore stated.
"Then either everyone can either leave the kitchen or we can go up to the Lord's study," Daphne replied sounding as though the outcome was already decided.
Dumbledore closed his eyes for a second as Sirius laughed, "You better keep this one, pup."
"This is no laughing matter. I don't have time for this tonight. I heard the same rumors Minister Fudge is on shaky grounds and it could be catastrophic should a Minister even more sympathetic to our enemy is elected," Dumbledore instructed them.
"You are avoiding the prophesy," Hermione accused.
"Are you just going to ignore me the way you have since that night Voldemort returned? Are you just going to tell them all to ignore me again so I can see Cedric die every night I close my eyes? Or do you want me to go back to face Umbridge again," Harry yelled at Dumbledore as he held up his hand.
Dumbledore's eyes caught the writing on his hand and his blue eyes took on a fire. "I never want any of my students hurt that way?"
"You have a poor way of showing it allowing Harry to get hurt like this and the rest of us terrorized!" Hermione was upset.
"Now I have to go back and face the Umbitch after she stole my House!"
"Harry, the DMLE has not been able to confirm..." Dumbledore was cut off.
"A blood quill and a Ministry Seal, Albus. You asked me how we knew Umbridge was involved. That is your evidence. Harry didn't know to burn up the parchments and he didn't know what to do with his scion ring," Sirius sounded like a dog ready to attack. "I didn't even know he received his ring. Only Ron and Hermione got his letters last summer."
The fire in Dumbledore's eyes lessened and for the first time Harry could remember the man's face looking his age. "Oh, Merlin. Why didn't I see this earlier?"
"What are they getting at, Albus?" Moody put to him.
"Harry's House wasn't just stolen from him, it was absorbed into Umbridge's House. Then the Ministry signed a Seal to dissolve the Potters. There is nothing left of the Potters," Sirius stood and yelled at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore reached up and ran his hand over his mouth before looking around and taking a chair.
"Sirius, are you sure of this?" Mrs. Weasley asked behind them.
"Tell me the prophesy," Harry demanded.
Dumbledore looked up at him, as though really seeing Harry for the first time. "What is your name?" Dumbledore asked.
"Harry Black," Daphne stated.
Dumbledore shook his head, still looking at Harry. "What is your name?"
"Harry James Black," he said bitterly. "I was able to reclaim my father's name as my middle."
Dumbledore put his hand over his mouth. Harry wasn't sure if anyone here had seen the Headmaster so uncomposed. "This changes everything," Dumbledore muttered.
"What does this change, Albus? What does the damned prophesy say!" Sirius banged his hand on the table.
"It doesn't matter anymore," Dumbledore replied.
"The hell it doesn't! Not ten minutes ago you were saying it was unfortunate that Daphne is my wife because of my fate!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs. It was this man that caused so much pain in his life and to lose everything.
"It doesn't matter anymore," Dumbledore said a little more forcibly.
"Explain," Daphne ordered.
Dumbledore looked at Daphne with an unreadable expression. "It doesn't matter. The conditions don't exist anymore."
"What conditions?" Mr. Weasley asked. "What haven't you told us? My family supports you and we accept the danger, but most of our children are not old enough to fight or understand what happened last time. What is going on?"
Dumbledore let out a sigh.
"What conditions, Albus! What does the prophesy say!" Sirius was standing up and his wand out as his side.
"It pertained to a child born at the end of July to parents that had opposed the Dark Lord three times. The Dark Lord would mark him as his equal," Dumbledore told them.
Daphne and Hermione gasped while Mr. Weasley paled. Shacklebolt looked at Harry while Sirius just stood there. "The lad has been made parent-less and he lost his mark the other night. Is that what you are getting at?" Moody spoke into the silence.
"Tell me you haven't manipulated Harry into some of the shite he has been through to fulfill this damned prophesy," Sirius growled, slowly raising his wand towards the Headmaster. "Tell me, Albus, that prophesy didn't have some bloody damned 'fate' for him to kill Voldemort or for something like that? Is Harry supposed to die doing so?"
Dumbledore closed his eyes. He noticed Mr. Weasley pull his wand too. "Is it true, Albus? All the stories we have found out about this week. Did you use our children to fulfill some prophesy that none of us knew about?"
Harry reached for his own wand. He had a sense as though something bad was going to go down here. There was an expectant air to the room.
Mrs. Weasley took his shoulder, her own wand pointed at the Headmaster. She tried to push him behind her. Harry didn't budge. Daphne had her wand out on the other side of Mrs. Weasley. "Tell me you did not use my children," she said in a voice that scared Harry. "What of all the children in the room? Or at Hogwarts? There was a basilisk! You-know-who! What happened to my daughter! Tell me you did not use my children!"
Dumbledore looked up at Mrs. Weasley suddenly. Harry saw the movement. "Expelliarmus!"
A half dozen other spells flashed around the room. With the grace of a Seeker, Harry grabbed the wand that flew towards him. Dumbledore was hit by two red spells that threw him off his seat and he crashed into a wall. There was a stunned silence. The wand in his off-hand thrummed. It was power. It was power and it felt unclean. Without thinking he grabbed the wand in both hands.
"Harry, no!" Sirius had tried to stop him.
Harry took the wand and snapped it over his knee.
There was a pulse of magic in the room that threw him back into the door frame. He heard Daphne and Hermione give out a scream and all the plates, glasses, pots and pans on the walls either shattered or fell to the floor.
His back hurt as he rolled over onto all four. "What was that?" Shacklebolt asked. He was standing, his wand before him and a shield up. Moody was the same while he saw Sirius and Mr. Weasley rushing around the table.
"Daphne! Hermione!" Sirius called out.
He turned to see Daphne sitting up on the other side of Mrs. Weasley. She was holding her head.
"Molly," Mr. Weasley rushed to his wife. Sirius was at his side. "Pup!"
"Check on Daphne and Hermione," he told his godfather.
Moody and Shacklebolt moved towards Dumbledore. Harry felt shaken, but forced himself to his feet.
"I haven't seen a wand do that when broken," Mrs. Weasley said sitting up.
He walked over to Daphne. "Are you alright?" he asked.
She took her hand off her head. There was a little blood on it. "I think I hit my head."
"Sirius, Daphne's bleeding," he said as he moved to look at her head.
"Help me up," Mrs. Weasley told her husband.
"How is Hermione? I think I hit her," Daphne said looking behind her.
Hermione was sitting up. "I'm alright," she told them as Sirius looked her over.
Mrs. Weasley moved to Daphne. "Let me take a look, Harry." Daphne took her hand away and Harry backed up. Mrs. Weasley ran her wand over her head. After a moment, Daphne winced a little. "It was just a small cut."
"What are we going to do with him?" Moody asked.
"He was pulling his wand," Harry told them.
"I never thought anyone would ever get the drop on Dumbledore," Shacklebolt said. "How did you do it?"
"I just saw him tensing," Harry told them.
"What do we tell the rest of the Order?" Shacklebolt asked.
"The truth," Sirius told them. "Albus tried to attack us when we found out he was using our children."
Moody shook his head. "He always had plans inside plans. All this time I thought we were fighting to protect those that needed it. We need to find out what was in that prophesy."
"If it doesn't pertain to Harry anymore, only You-Know-Who, the one that heard it or an Unspeakable can access it now," Mr. Weasley told them.
"Are you alright?" he asked Daphne.
"I just feel a little dizzy. I didn't even see Dumbledore move. I just barely heard you before his wand was flying," she told him.
"Potter is quick. Damned quick," Moody said impressed.
"It's Black," Harry reminded the man. "My name is Harry Black."
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